Asia is the world’s largest continent and home to more than 60% of the world’s population. It’s a continent of incredible contrasts; from the frozen north to the expansive steppe in Central Asia and the deserts in the Middle East, and the glistening peaks of the Himalayas to the pristine beaches of Southeast Asia, and […]

Armenia (map) is an ancient country situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. This small country is known for its 3,500-year-old history, rich culture and amazing mountainous landscapes. Each year, an increasing number of visitors book Armenian tours to explore this interesting land, immerse themselves in centuries-old customs and traditions, learn about its colourful […]

I met Janice and George Mucalov, two travel writers, on an Alaska cruise in 2011 and we’ve stayed in touch ever since, following each other’s travels via social media. Janice, George and I enjoy travelling in the same manner, i.e. comfortably, or rather… the ‘velvet’ way, so when Janice approached me with an idea for […]

Sabah is a Malaysian state that occupies the northern corner of the island of Borneo. Blessed with superb white sandy beaches and coral islands, and large tracts of virgin tropical rainforests, Sabah is a nature lovers paradise. Sabah is also the home of Mount Kinabalu, at 4,095 meters, the highest peak in Southeast Asia; the […]

It was supposed to be my little offline holiday – a few days of chill time at the Bubu Villas on Pulau Perhentian Kecil (‘Pulau’ means island in the Malay language) on the east coast of Malaysia. It turned out slightly differently… My little holiday began with a short 45-minute flight from Kuala Lumpur’s futuristic […]

On my recent trip to the Southeast Asian Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, I had the opportunity to stay at the country’s premier resort, the Empire Hotel & Country Club. The hotel is huge and comprises several wings, various restaurants, a stunning lagoon-pool and beautiful views of the South China Sea. During my stay, I was […]

Brunei Darussalam is a small Sultanate on the Southeast Asian island of Borneo, sandwiched between the Malaysian state of Sarawak and the South China Sea. With a population of less than half a million and a sizeable income from oil and gas production, Brunei is one of the wealthiest countries in Asia. Its capital, Bandar […]

Dubai never ceases to amaze. From the impressive massive palm frond-shaped archipelagos that can even be seen from outer space to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai is a true wonder in its own right. Whether you’re holidaying in Dubai or are on a layover for a few days to break up your […]

We stepped into a grand space – a gleaming marble floor, an epic staircase that swooped up in a gracious curve and soaring columns. “It’s a pity they don’t build hotel lobbies like this anymore”, my Mum remarked. With the towering Burj Dubai in mind, I begged to differ but aren’t mothers always right? She […]

“My velvet escape travel tip” is a guest series about what the name ‘Velvet Escape’ evokes. With this series, I hope to uncover travel tips from places around the world to help visitors have a truly local experience. Today’s guest post is by Lisa Egle who describes her little piece of paradise in Indonesia. Serene […]